: Build a particle accelerator using only the items in your top desk drawer.
Hmm, top drawer, that might be a real challenge. Should you allow for second and third from top, that would be a breeze. In third, I keep most of the components. Second, all the tools. But top? There are only the pencils and rulers. Oh, and batteries, at least. Can I run in on AAs?

Hi Kristin, John here from NYC. I've been thinking along somewhat similar lines. If we both found it worth our while, might there be a chance of us working together on some kind of project? Many ideas come to mind...
All best,
John Wheeler

I actually watched a replay of the show last night and 90% of the people in it come off as completely brainless. I actually feel sort of bad for them – I doubt that they realized that the show producers were going to make them come off that way. There's one guy who appears to know something about programming – the rest appear to think that technology consists of selling things on websites.

The prototype show sounds cool. I know the trend these days is to implement as much as possible in software but somebody still has to build stuff for the software to run, right? I've actually started a project to build a mechanical lift in my garage to rise from floor to door level. I'm a laser geek by training, so I'm in the process of figuring out what I need to know to run a servo motor. Should be fun!

Hi Kristin,
You should probably enjoy a show that already exists from Discovery Channel called "Prototype This" where a team of engineers (from diverse fields) tries to build a fully working prototype in under a week I believe. As in real life, success is a bit plastic, but is always lots of fun to watch even if the goals are not fully met at the end!
(http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/prototype-this/about/about.html)
I really enjoy these kinds of shows and will eagerly way for the "Top Engineer" when it airs...

In conjunction with unveiling of EE Times’ Silicon 60 list, journalist & Silicon 60 researcher Peter Clarke hosts a conversation on startups in the electronics industry. One of Silicon Valley's great contributions to the world has been the demonstration of how the application of entrepreneurship and venture capital to electronics and semiconductor hardware can create wealth with developments in semiconductors, displays, design automation, MEMS and across the breadth of hardware developments. But in recent years concerns have been raised that traditional venture capital has turned its back on hardware-related startups in favor of software and Internet applications and services. Panelists from incubators join Peter Clarke in debate.